Ionic-discharge device



Feb. 18, 1930, s. RUBEN 1,747,643

IONIC DISCHARGE DEVICE Filed April 4. 1927 SflMZ/EL RUBEN W h/s abbommg Patented Feb. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE SAMUEL RUBEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y ASSIGNOR TO RUBEN PATENTS COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

IONIC-DISCHARGE DEVICE Application filed April 4,

may be opened and closed at very high rates of speed.

The device of the present invention is an improvement as to speed of operation, upon that described in my prior and copending patent application, Serial No. 58,896, filed October 23, 1920, and refiled October 10, 1926, by which the current discharge through an external circuit is controlled by the movement of its anode plate in response to the kinetic energy of its electronic bombardment b the electron stream from the cathode, the ell actronic bombardment having a direct mechanical effect upon the position of one end of the anode plate, by the movement of which,

the external circuit is opened and closed.

The mechanical force thereby obtained is, however, of such small magnitude that the pressure responsive element must be very light and delicate.

By the employment of an ionic discharge instead ofan electronic discharge, due to the large mass of the ion compared with that of the electron, much greater force or pressure is obtained, with greater responseby the bombarded element which can, therefore, be less sensitive and delicate. As the bombarding ion, I prefer that of neon gas and caesium vapor, because of the low discharge potential of the former and the large amount of kinetic energy available from the ionic discharge of the latter for the operation of the pressuresensitive cathode element. The neon gas is used in starting the discharge because the cmsium has lIlSHfiIlClGDt vapor pressure therefor at normalroom temperature; but, after starting, the heat radiated from the electrode and conducted by the low pressure gas atmosphere increases'the caesium vapor pressure so that it then becomes the conductive element, with its greater mass bombardment 1927. Serial No. 180,989.

effect upon the movement of the flexible cathode element.

In a preferred form of device the caesium is applied in a compound mixture of powdered caesium chloride and magnesium powder compressed and heated inductively within the tube to the reaction temperature, when the magnesium vapor is released, absorbing all of the occluded surface and residual chemically active gases, and reducing the caesium chloride to caesium metal, which is deposited by condensation on the inner walls of the containing vessel or tube. The residue of magnesium chloride remains within the original containing metal walled element.

The invention therefore involves broadly, the use of a low pressure gas-filled tube adapted for the application of a vapor pressure, and having a light weight cathode element delicately responsive to ionic impact from ionic discharges of the vapor pressure between the anode and cathode, the movement of one end of the latter serving to actuate a current-making-and-breaking device with in the tube and in an external circuit to be controlled or. affected. The gas within the tube employed for the conduction of the initial ionic discharge is preferably a monatomic gas; but for more effective operation, after suflicient heat is generated within the tube, a vapor pressure, preferably that of cwsium, or potassium, etc., is employed.

The principles of the invention can best be further explained in connection with a certain illustrative embodiment thereof, shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 2 diagrammatically show two views of the ionic bombardment relay device, and Figs. 3 and 4 show in greater detail several of its elements,

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, C represents a glass tube or envelope, first evacuated and deprived of occluded gases as faras practicable, and into which neon gas has then been admitted at low pressure; the tube is mounted on base 1. Within the tube is cathode plate 2, consisting of a thin molybdenum diaphragm mounted on a conducting wire 5, and a control element 9, forming a ring 9 about the end of the anode, and mountcircuit.

ed on a conducting wire having a terminal at 9 Mounted on the end of cathode supporting wire 5, is tungsten contact point. 5;, opposite fixed tungsten contact point 6 on conducting wire 6, of the external circuit to be operated by theopening and closing of gap 5 -6 cathode 2 being also connected in that Anode 7 is partially electrically shielded by glass tube 8.v At 10, mounted on rod 10 pro ccting from the glass stem, is a vessel containing a powdered mixture of magnesium and caesium chloride; in its metal Wall is a small orifice 10 for the escape of vapor when i that vessel is heated by the ionic discharge. At 7,, 5 and 6 are respectively the terminals of anode 7 cathode 2 and conducting wire 6 of the external circuit, in which cathode 2 is also'connected.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate respectively in more detail the grid or control circuit element or ring 9,, encircling the end of anode wire 7 and the nickel walled vessel 10 containing the material from which the vapor pressure is derived. For higher speed operation the oath-- ode plate'is extended to opposite the fixed contact point and the movable tungsten contact is omitted, the fixed contact being then a small tungsten wire contact point.

In operation, as a potential is established between the cathode and anode, the neon gas becomes conductive and, with the discharge between those electrodes, the radiated heat and that conducted by the electrodes raises the temperature of the caesium metal to the point of vaporization. The conductive capacity of the gap is increased with the increase of the vapor pressure and a more in tense ionic bombardment of the cathode occurs, forcing the upper end of that element over until its contact point closes the gap of the external circuit. The impression of a negative potential upon'the'control circuit varies and decreases the ionic bombardment of the cathode and the gap is again open, the current discharge through the external circuit ceasing." The cycle of opening and closing the external circuit continueswith the inpressed upon the control circuit. In this way very high speed of operation of the circuit opening and closing device is obtained. What I claim is:

1. A relay device comprising an evacuated tube having therewithin ametal vapor and a a vibratory dia hragm iomc discharge from the operating cathode element separated from the anodeby a gap, the cathode consisting of flexibly responsive to the impact 0 anode and a contact member adapted to open and close an external circuit, responsive to variations of the ionic bombardment, of the cathode in response to potential variations of the control element.

- Signed a the city ofnw vora in-the county of New-York'andlstate of New York this 2nd day of April A. D. 1927. 7 o SAMUEL RUBEN.

ion

termittent reception of radio signals im- 

